Elegi Of Rose

He nodded. "Movie and popcorns kind of date," he said.

"Really? Is it because it's my birthday?"

"Yes, and no," he said smiling.

"What are we watching?" She was excited all of a sudden.

"What do you want to see?"

"Everything," she declared.

"Everything? I haven't heard that movie."

"You'll like it," she beamed.

*****

When they arrived at the cinema, she went to get their tickets while Roy immediately went through the list. He was frowning when she came back and he said, "I don't see Everything here..." Ayu laughed out loud, "Really, babe, I was playing along with you. I never really thought you would get what I said the way you did."

"Then what did you really mean?"

"When I said everything," she held up her hand holding the tickets, "I meant every movie."

"You must be kidding," he said in disbelief.

"Of course I'm not," she snapped. "Now, let's see what's next. Okay, Pirates of the Caribbean will be first, then we'll transfer to The Priest, and then we'll see X-Men, and finally Kung Fu Panda. "You want to watch Kung Fu Panda?"

"Of course. It's funny," she took his hand and dragged him to the popcorn stand. "You buy the popcorn and the drinks."

Roy sighed and grabbed for his wallet.

"What are you whining about? I thought you wanted to go on a date?"

"I can't watch four movies in a row. My eyes can't handle that much stress."

"We can watch them the next day, okay? I was just playing with you. We'll just watch two for tonight."

"Deal," he said quickly.

*****

It was nearly midnight when they finally went out the cinema and Roy was obviously drained. He was babysitting Ren and it was not that easy and then he watched two movies in a row, the last one he did not enjoy as much as she did. She felt sorry for him in a way because she knew he really wanted their date to be fun. And it was, really. Well, only during the first movie Pirates of the Caribbean, because he was still alert and enthusiastic and they greatly enjoyed it. The second one was, well, fun for her but he was already drowsing to sleep by the end part of it.

By the time they arrived home, he was asleep the moment he hit the bed.

"Hey, Roy, aren't you going to change?" she nudged him.

"Hmm..." he said from the pillows.

"Hmm," she smiled, "then I guess it's my time to do the honor now, right?" She stripped him of his clothes, only leaving him with his boxers, and went to sleep beside him.

His arms went around her naturally the moment he felt her beside him. Ayu smiled and smelled his bare chest, wrapping her arms around his waist, pressing closer. That simple gesture of theirs was like a natural thing to do-like they were part of each other's bodies. It just felt right.

Shit, just another thing she'd miss.

*****

The next day, she spent it prodding him to go back to the cinema and finish those movies.

"Come on, I bought those tickets myself. Do you get it? I bought them," she shook his arm.

He choked on his sandwich. "Babe, I'm still having headaches from last night."

"It was your idea in the first place!"

"I said, movie--not movies," he pointed out.

"But I paid for those movies and you promised that-"

"I'll pay you back."

"But I want to watch them and-"

"I'll download them for you."

"I want to see them on the big screen and you can't tell me you're going to buy a projector and a white screen," she squinted her eyes at him and folded her arms across her chest. When he did not answer, she cried in exasperation and stomped out of the kitchen. "Fine! I'll watch it with Herland!"

That did the trick.

She secretly smiled when she heard his chair screech back and his footsteps came near. "Not gonna happen," he said, walking past her. "Where are you going?"

"Getting my jacket," he snapped, throwing the last piece of his sandwich into his mouth.

"I'll be waiting!" she called after him with a grin.

*****

Ayu ignored his mutterings as they drove to the cinema and enjoyed the little torture she inflicted on him. When they got there, she hurriedly ushered him to see The Priest and the movie was great. He said it was okay which she completely disagreed. After The Priest, she almost dragged him to the last movie X-Men where he slept half of the time. She didn't care. At least he went with her, right?

They had a late lunch after that and they went back home. He did not forget to remind her of her chores though.

"It's my birthday," she complained as he handed her the rake.

"I know," he winked at her and kissed her pouting lips. "I'll help you."

"Great, just great," she moaned and went on to do her chores.

*****

"Roy," she kicked him at the hip to wake him up. "Wake up. I need a ride."

"It's early. I need a lot of sleep after what you did to me last night," he huskily said, turning away from her.

Ayu tapped her foot on the carpet floor. "Today's Ren's party. I need to be there to help Rin," she urged. When he did not respond, she pulled the comforter to unveil his oh-awesome naked form.

"Five minutes," he groaned, pulling back the comforter.

"You have to wake up now or I'll leave without you."

"How did you wake up so early anyway?" he complained as he tried to push himself away from the bed.

She smiled. "I'm excited for this party."

"You don't like parties," he sat up in bed with squinted eyes, his hair tousled.

"This one I like. It's for Ren." She took his hand and pulled him to his feet. "Go get dressed. I'll wait for you outside."

*****

They arrived just in time to help Rin set up the balloons and meet the caterers for the food. It was pretty amazing and fun to work with colorful stuff outside the lawn. There are tiny bubbles floating in the air, the weather was great, and it looked like Ren was enjoying his upcoming party because he was smiling and chuckling at everything-especially the bubbles.

"Where's Yeyena?" Ayu asked, painting Rin's face with face paint. It was her sister-in-law's idea if you must know.

Rin rolled her eyes. "Don't ask. For all I know, she's in the hospital or with that guy she's dating."

"She's dating someone?"

"Uh-huh," Rin's lips pouted, "But they really look weird together."

Ayu frowned. "How come?"

"I don't know. And I'm not judging the guy. I only met him once in passing while they were at the mall. But he's... I don't know, mysterious? And he's not her type. She likes men in suit like Roy, and he's... how do I put it? He's a jacket guy in boots. He looked rugged for Yen's taste it's surprising that she's even dating him."

"Maybe she chose a different direction. Is this the guy she was talking about the last time?"

"I don't have any idea. And she's not talking about it either it's really weird. She tells me everything. Even when she was after Roy, she told me every single step she'd take to get him." "Hmmm... yeah, that's weird."

"But let's not talk about that. She's just probably going bold with her relationships."

"Maybe," Ayu agreed and placed down the brush. "Okay, we're done."

Rin took a mirror and checked out the left side of her cheek. "Oh, it's beautiful, Yu. Thank you." She painted a blue-green butterfly with little dots that glittered and it was pretty cute. "You're welcome. Now, I think it's my turn."

"I'll do it for you," Roy announced, walking near them with Ren in his arms.

"I doubt I'll like the outcome, babe," Ayu told him.

"This is not art school. It's a party," he reminded her.

"Fine," she sat on a stool Rin vacated. Her husband handed Ren back to his sister and reached for a brush.

Ayu stopped his hand just as he was about to start painting. "What?" he laughingly asked.

She stared at him seriously. "Don't you dare make pranks, Roy."

"I won't," he chuckled, brushing her hand away. "Just hold still."

Ayu's face was cringing as she felt the tip of the brush touch her face.

*****

He drew a star. Of course. What did you expect?

He was pretty good at it though she expected something blotchy or monstrous. It was a good thing he knew what he was doing when he volunteered.

By the time the party started, they got really busy. People started arriving with little kids, most of them from the same park Rin usually took Ren for a walk. Others were friends Ayu only met for the first time aside from Yeyena who arrived rather late once again. Their family was there as well and enjoyed having face paints on their faces that Ayu had no time to eat if not for Roy who gave her food every now and then.

He also bragged about painting her face and even offered to help her paint, but not a soul came near him. He muttered a lot of incoherent words after that. "You go join some games, babe. I can't take your cussing right now," she told him while painting Reinold's face with a skull upon his request.

The old man laughed. "Listen to your wife, Roy."

She saw her husband turn and walk to where Ren was with Rin, watching some kids playing games.

Ayu joined him after she was finally done with all the faces of the guests.

"We're joining a sack race," he informed as she sat beside him, leaning her hand on his shoulder. He circled his arm around her to hold her close.

"What sack race?" she asked.

"Some game Rin thought about for the big guys."

"I'm in, of course. But I'm a lousy loser so you better do your best," she warned.

"I always do my best," he bragged, kissing her nose.

Yes, he always did his best. Like with what he did with the star. He spent one week just talking to people until he finally got it. I wish he'd do something like that to keep me... She mentally kicked herself when she realized what she thought. What the hell, Yu? What were you thinking? Hoping for something like that is a danger sign, she reminded herself.

*****

"Jump faster, babe! What the hell are you doing?" She shouted an hour later, jumping with squinted eyes against the rays of the sun as her husband tried to catch up with the rest of the players, his body too big for the sack. "You can't lose, remember?!"

"I'm trying!" he shouted back.

"Yu, you can't cuss in front of a lot of children," Rin nudged her.

She didn't hear her sister-in-law because she was busy watching Roy who was really struggling with the sack. They were playing a relay and she was up next. Their team was losing because of him.

A big guy was fast behind him.

"Watch out!" Ayu shouted but it was already too late. The guy lost his balance and landed straight on Roy. "Roy!" she shouted, running towards the two men. The big guy was on top of her husband who seemed not to be moving. "Get off him!" she cried out, kicking the struggling guy and sent him rolling away, sack and all.

"Oh my God! Roy!" Rin shouted behind her.

Fear was the first thing that came bounding through Ayu as she knelt down staring at Roy's closed eyes.

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"Let me through, don't touch him!" Yeyena was shouting through the growing crowd of partygoers.

"Yeyena!" Ayu shouted, feeling helpless all of a sudden. Why wasn't he opening his eyes? "Roy?" she tried to call out and sighed in relief when he opened his eyes.

"Move aside, people! What the hell! Are you doctors?! Go call an ambulance!" Yeyena shouted as she knelt beside Ayu who did not notice that her tears were running down her cheeks. "Good. He's conscious."

"Is that good?" Ayu asked stupidly.

"Yes, and keep him awake," Yeyena said, assessing Roy's limbs. "Where's the ambulance?!"

"I'm fine..." Roy said, his voice weak and his face told them he's in real pain. "Ow!" he shouted as Yeyena reached his left foot.

"You dislocated your left foot," Yeyena told him.

"Oh my God, get him to the hospital, please!" Ria said with tears in her eyes.

Yeyena looked at her and said, "He needs to go to the hospital."

"Just drive him to the hospital, dear!" Risa said with fear.

"Yes, yes, of course!" Ayu stood up with shaky feet.

"No, no... she can't..." Roy tried to argue faintly, but no one heard him.

"Where's your car?" Yeyena asked her.

She pointed at Roy's car. Yeyena took his keys from his pocket and threw it at her then asked someone's help to carry Roy towards the car. Ayu followed and almost cried out once again when she saw her husband's left foot which was obviously dislocated.

Yeyena and some guy placed Roy at the passenger side, stretching the back seat back to its fullest so he was almost lying down.

Ayu willed herself to get in the driver's side, fighting her shaking hands. She had to be strong.

"Be careful. And don't let him fall asleep. I still have to look after the other guy. We'll follow after you," Yeyena said before Ayu placed the car in gear.

"Okay, okay!" She shouted, trying to calm herself down.

And then they were off, running down the street.

Roy was groaning in pain.

Ayu peered through the windshield and said, "Stop groaning, I can't concentrate..."

"You can't drive..." he said through gritted teeth.

When the thought finally registered into her mind, she stopped, and so did the car. "Oh my God... I... I'm driving..."

"Hey, it's okay..." He must have realized he made a big mistake about reminding her of her incapability to drive.

"Oh my God..." that sudden rush of a different kind of fear came pouring down at her. What if she got into an accident again? What if Roy got worse? What if she lost control once more?

She couldn't move, she couldn't breathe, and her vision was starting to blur.

"Yu, Yu... listen... get me to a freaking hospital now!" She barely heard Roy's voice.

Stop thinking about that stupid accident and save him... a voice whispered to her.

She gulped and opened her eyes.

"Babe, hang in there and let's go. My foot is killing me..." Roy rasped, his eyes closed in pain.

"Yes," she whispered, stepping on the gas. "Hospital... yes, let's go drive to the hospital."

"Just be careful," he said, his voice trailing off.

"Roy? Hey, Roy," she called out, but not a sound came from him.

"Shit!" she cursed, feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders. She had to drive alone to the hospital with her unconscious husband.

"God, help me..." she uttered, gripping the steering wheel tightly, focusing her eyes on the road.